It doesn't seem possible that the sheriff's Criminal Enterprise Unit would be investigating some misdeed involving a city charter.
It even would be embarrassing to raise the question.
Criminal Enterprise Unit sounds like something geared for the federal RICO statute (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations act).
Here is the portion of the Largo city Charter in question, said to have been violated with all the shenanigans of the former city manager putting himself on the path to respectable womanhood (I know; I can't believe I am writing this either; but it all really happened).
Section 2.06 (b) - The mayor or a city commissioner shall report to the city commission all violations or neglect of duty or any misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance in office, or improper conduct on the part of any elected or appointed official that may come to his or her knowledge.
By the way, if you are depending on the Big Paper for your knowledge of this subject you are in the wrong church, wrong pew. The BP is so hung up on propagandizing and advocating for the deviant elements of our society it makes one wonder whether Gene Patterson's influence was ever felt at that sorry paper.
It was Commissioner Harriet Crozier's idea to come up with that sheriff's agency. The sheriff's job is law enforcement; that is, the enforcement of the state's criminal laws. Not local city charters.
The investigation obviously belongs with the Attorney General and if that office accedes to looking into it they will find, at best, yes, parties had knowledge that should have been shared. End of story.
But what is the real impact?
The real impact is that the former city manager surrounded himself with a cozy little group (including some non-government people) that had the air of bizarre tea party. "Don't tell anyone, but..... tee hee."
So is it much ado about nothing? Not really. The citizens have a right to know and more importantly they have a right to have their charter obeyed and respected.
Mayor Pat Gerard does not want this investigated. Calls it a waste of time. Makes it a personal issue. It is all and always personal with her.
And her role in the nastiness caper with the former city manager is another black mark on her record which already shows self-dealing and conflict of interest.
There is the petition for the investigation and then there are the myriad of questions that are on the lips and minds of many in a city that is buzzing and not welcoming the national attention it is getting from a deviant.
Among the questions -
In one interview, the former city manager said, "I would have fired myself (for engaging in what he was doing)." Why?
Why did the FCM need the services and cooperation of so many city directors and elected officials to implement his plan?
Why was a former commissioner involved?
Why was the mayor's husband, Eric Gerard, involved?
Why was the eight-page plan not made available as a public record? It certainly was produced on city time by city employees. Yet when it was asked for, the reply was "We no got."
Were any city employees instructed that they must work with or go along with the FCM on this plan (with their jobs at stake, of course)?
Gerard's public statements in regard to the FCM's behavior seem to be at variance with what she had as first hand information and what is the public to think of that?
Why did the mayor and human resources director organize "training" courses for the benefit of city employees who faced the prospect of now working for a man dressed as a woman?
A final thought -
Gerard was adamant that the citizens petition be canned, that an investigation "would be a waste of money."
This from an elected official who voted in favor of converting city assets to her company's usage (subject of an ethics complaint that was beaten by a wily trick), voted $21,000 for the Central Park railroad in these perilous times, and is perfectly happy to continue to subsidize the Cultural Center to the tune of $10,000 a week.
See anything wrong here?
If not, see your eye doctor.
